COMPELLED TO IMPACT:

Focal verse for the year:

And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there…
But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. —Acts 20:22, 24

COMPELLED TO IMPACT: Tell Your Story

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.” —Acts 20:22

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” —Acts 20:24

TESTIFYING:
To make a statement based on personal knowledge or belief: bear witness

“Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”
And when they heard that he was addressing them in ch. 21:40the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.
“As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about
noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.
“And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see See the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. —Acts 22:1-15

They praised God but then said, “You know, dear brother, how many thousands of Jews have also believed, and they are all very insistent that Jewish believers must continue to follow the Jewish traditions and customs. Our Jewush Christians here at Jerusalem have been told that you are against the laws of Moses, against our Jewish customs, and that you forbid the circumcision of their children. —Acts 21:20-21 TLB

“Men of Israel! Help! Help! This is the man who preaches against our people and tells everybody to disobey the Jewish laws. He even talks against the Temple and defiles it by bringing Gentiles in!” —Acts 21:28 TLB

How to Tell My Story
Before I become a Christian

* 70% said it is the responsibility of the pastor to equip the congregation to share the gospel.
* 70% said they had not shared their story in the past 6 months.
* 90% said they are open to having a conversation about faith with a friend.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. —Romans 3:23

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. —1 John 1:8

…I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, —1 Timothy 1:13

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. —1 Timothy 1:15

How I became a Christian

For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. —Romans 10:10

Now that I am a Christian

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. —Proverbs 3:5-6

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